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Last Visited: 7/13/2009
Professor Geoffrey Stone on Civil Unions and Religious Freedom
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Professor Geoffrey Stone of the University of Chicago Law School, like 60% of Americans according to recent polls, supports the legislation and wrote a very interesting opinion piece in the Chicago Tribune.
He opines:
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Professor Stone believes the incremental approach to legalized same-sex marriage is appropriate as well, saying, "it is a reasonable compromise at this time in our history."
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I agree with Professor Stone on this point and I believe he has articulated it beautifully.
However, we diverge in opinion on the appropriateness of the "Religious Freedom Protection" part of the Act.
While he regards the language as "a respectful and very substantial acknowledgment of legitimate religious liberty interests," I see it as a merely symbolic and unnecessary inclusion simply for political appeasement.
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In the end, both Professor Stone and I support the Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act, albeit I with less gusto.
I believe the Act is a step above nothing and is certainly a welcome relief for Illinoisan same-sex couples, but is absolutely not where Illinois should stop.
A "compromise," as Professor Stone calls this bill, is not equality; equality is equality.